Remulla shoots down resignation calls: It will not happen

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Tuesday shot down calls for his resignation amid the arrest of and filing of drug charges against his eldest son.

"It will not happen. I will not comment anymore on the other issues there, but it will not happen," Remulla said in a press conference, the first time he faced the media since the arrest of his son Juanito Remulla III.

"That is not my call. I am a very honorable person when it comes to this. It is the President's call," he added.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has already said that calls for Remulla's resignation have no basis.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) operatives arrested the younger Remulla Monday last week in connection with a parcel allegedly containing P1.3 million worth of "kush" or high-grade marijuana.

He was later charged with possession of illegal drugs before the Las Piñas City Regional Trial Court.

The Bureau of Customs said Tuesday in an interview on Unang Balita that it has already turned over to PDEA the suspected P1.3 million worth of "kush" or high-grade marijuana allegedly seized from Juanito.

When asked to comment about those who are saying he should observe delicadeza, Remulla said, "It's not only me on trial here. It's my son on trial. It's the country in trial in some ways but it's par for the course. It happens."

The Justice secretary said he is "calm enough to face anybody about any issue" when asked if he is bothered by the calls for his resignation.

In a handwritten statement released following Juanito's arrest, Remulla said he would "not intervene" in his son's predicament.

Remulla said he spoke with Marcos when he arrived from Geneva on Thursday where he attended several human rights conventions.

"He just said that he commiserates with my plight as a parent. That's all. And he said just go back to work, he said.

Remulla said he has not spoken to Juanito since the arrest. He said he had only spoken to his lawyer-cousin who will represent his son in the case.

"That is everything I have to do with the case," he said, pointing out that he also has not asked anybody for a favor.

Remulla also said he told lawyers that any resolution regarding his son’s case should not reach the Department of Justice.

"Sabi ko, if there's a resolution, do not let it reach the DOJ. Let it be discussed in court… If it's an adverse case against my son, it will not be appealed here. It will go straight to the courts for trial," he said.

Remulla refused to comment on the statement of lawmakers that Juanito is receiving special treatment.

House Deputy Minority Leader France Castro previously called out the supposed special treatment given to Juanito, citing the two-day delay before the arrest was publicized, the blurred mug shots, and the authorities' decision to not submit him to a drug test.

Remulla said his family was "holding up very well" despite the situation.

"My wife, my mother, my children, my brothers, and sisters are all supportive. And I'd like to thank all those people who have sent me statements of support," he said.

Geneva convention

Meanwhile, the Justice Secretary said his recent visit to Geneva, Switzerland, was "very productive" but was overtaken by "events" and was not talked about when he arrived in the country last week.

He said the Philippine delegation was able to answer all questions posed by the United Nations Human Rights Committee regarding the human rights situation in the country.

"We were able to enunciate clearly government policy," he said.

"For example that it is not state policy to have anybody killed, 'di ba? Kasi 'yung sinasabing EJK hindi government policy 'yan. We clarified what government policy is about," he added, referring to extrajudicial killings.

According to Remulla, his explanation regarding the country's anti-terror law was "well received."

"We explained to them these intricacies that actually protect more rights than most other comparative laws that have been passed throughout the world," he said. —with a report from Giselle Ombay/KBK/KG, GMA News